Bear Encounter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Haney, British Columbia
Bear Encounter
Having a nice ride through one of my fav roads this afternoon and came around a corner to meet Yogi. This fellow was huge and standing in my lane.
Farm houses on either side set back some from the road and not a sole was near. I came to a stop and I won't lie, my heart started pounding. My first thought was to reach for my camera phone, but it was in my bag. Then I wondered if he makes a move toward me, could I make a U-turn fast enough. Well, sure enough he moves his body toward me and we have a little stare down. Clutch in, I throttle hard about three deep revs. He didn't like that one bit and took off back across the road.
Deluxe 1 - Bear 0
I'm just lucky and thankful he wasn't in the curve or the outcome would have been quite different.
Farm houses on either side set back some from the road and not a sole was near. I came to a stop and I won't lie, my heart started pounding. My first thought was to reach for my camera phone, but it was in my bag. Then I wondered if he makes a move toward me, could I make a U-turn fast enough. Well, sure enough he moves his body toward me and we have a little stare down. Clutch in, I throttle hard about three deep revs. He didn't like that one bit and took off back across the road.
Deluxe 1 - Bear 0
I'm just lucky and thankful he wasn't in the curve or the outcome would have been quite different.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Clayton, Georgia
It is always nice to see wildlife on the side of the road.....just not in the road.
My wife and I were riding last weekend and saw a bear as we came around a curve. It was eating something in the ditch as we went by and I was going fast enough that I couldn't just up and stop without being past the bear. We rode on around the next curve and did a u-turn and came back down and stopped about ten feet from the 200+ lb bear. It jumped up the bank, stopped, stood there and looked at us for a few seconds, and then turned and went up the mountain.
My wife was tickled to death to get to see this bear, even though she has seen a few before. She also loves to see deer as long as they are not in the road.
Glad to hear you didn't hit the bear. The ride is always more enjoyable when you get to go back home in the same condition you left in.
My wife and I were riding last weekend and saw a bear as we came around a curve. It was eating something in the ditch as we went by and I was going fast enough that I couldn't just up and stop without being past the bear. We rode on around the next curve and did a u-turn and came back down and stopped about ten feet from the 200+ lb bear. It jumped up the bank, stopped, stood there and looked at us for a few seconds, and then turned and went up the mountain.
My wife was tickled to death to get to see this bear, even though she has seen a few before. She also loves to see deer as long as they are not in the road.
Glad to hear you didn't hit the bear. The ride is always more enjoyable when you get to go back home in the same condition you left in.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,264
Likes: 15
From: West side of indianapolis
It is always nice to see wildlife on the side of the road.....just not in the road.
My wife and I were riding last weekend and saw a bear as we came around a curve. It was eating something in the ditch as we went by and I was going fast enough that I couldn't just up and stop without being past the bear. We rode on around the next curve and did a u-turn and came back down and stopped about ten feet from the 200+ lb bear. It jumped up the bank, stopped, stood there and looked at us for a few seconds, and then turned and went up the mountain.
My wife was tickled to death to get to see this bear, even though she has seen a few before. She also loves to see deer as long as they are not in the road.
Glad to hear you didn't hit the bear. The ride is always more enjoyable when you get to go back home in the same condition you left in.
My wife and I were riding last weekend and saw a bear as we came around a curve. It was eating something in the ditch as we went by and I was going fast enough that I couldn't just up and stop without being past the bear. We rode on around the next curve and did a u-turn and came back down and stopped about ten feet from the 200+ lb bear. It jumped up the bank, stopped, stood there and looked at us for a few seconds, and then turned and went up the mountain.
My wife was tickled to death to get to see this bear, even though she has seen a few before. She also loves to see deer as long as they are not in the road.
Glad to hear you didn't hit the bear. The ride is always more enjoyable when you get to go back home in the same condition you left in.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 5
From: Wisconsin
You did the right thing. From the bears point of view you looked bigger and badder!
I have been charged by a black bear once. "Most" times if you make yourself look as big as possible and loud if the bear is charging. They will stop about 15 feet in front of you, grunt and turn around. Don't try out running if your chances are slim to none. Bears do run faster than you. If the charge continues drop to the ground face down and cover your face and neck and play dead.
If you are in between a bear and her cubs. All bets are off-----good luck!!!
I have been charged by a black bear once. "Most" times if you make yourself look as big as possible and loud if the bear is charging. They will stop about 15 feet in front of you, grunt and turn around. Don't try out running if your chances are slim to none. Bears do run faster than you. If the charge continues drop to the ground face down and cover your face and neck and play dead.
If you are in between a bear and her cubs. All bets are off-----good luck!!!
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 775
Likes: 0
From: Louavul, KY
I didn't see a bear, but I saw a HUGE CAMEL TOE! Does that count?
xmarine
xmarine
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Forest Lake MN
I am seeing more and more black bears around here lately and they seem to be less afraid. When I was younger you hardly ever saw a bear in the wild and if you did they ran away like deer. The last one I saw was in NW Wisconsin, a big Cinnamon phase about 20 yards off the road. It stood on its hind legs and looked at me as I rode by. It was very cool to see but I did not stop or turn around, just kept on going. Having one stand in the road and challenge me would make me nervous.